Microsoft Surface Book 2 HMW-00005 Review
The Surface Book 2 revolutionized the convertible (or detachable, to be precise) market since it was released. A brilliant display, Windows Ink support, and stunning battery longevity- it claims to possess it all that you might want from a laptop (or tablet; whatever!!). Today we’ll check out Microsoft Surface Book 2 HMW-00005, a relatively humbly configured variance.
Check out the latest price for the Microsoft Surface Book 2 HMW-00005
Specs:
- CPU – Intel Core i5 Dual-Core (7th Gen), 2.6 GHz
- GPU – Intel HD Graphics 620
- Memory – 8 GB DDR3, extendable up to 16 GB
- Screen – 13.5-inch Quad HD+ IPS (3,000 x 2,000) with 10-point touchscreen
- Storage – 256 GB SSD
- OS – Windows 10 Home edition
Benefits:
- Performance – It’s one of the slightly low-specced models of the Surface Book. It’s powered by a Core i5 processor along with 8 GB RAM. For your storage needs, it houses a 256 GB NVMe SSD which is much faster than its SATA variance. It can handle your day-to-day web surfing, movie watching and note taking jobs pretty comfortably.
- Display – It is equipped with a 13.5-inch unique QHD+ display. It’s, in fact, one of the best in its class to be precise. The average brightness is even more than 400 nits. So it would not be problematic working in a sunlit environment. The colour coverage and the contrast ratio can be found towards the higher end as well. But undoubtedly the most intriguing feature is the stylus support as it excels in that area.
- Portability – As a convertible and detachable it had to be lightweight. Besides the 360° hinges which allow it to flip completely into a tablet you can take the display part apart as well. And most importantly, it’s only as heavy as 1.53 kg (3.37 lbs), much lower than many other.
- Battery – That’s one section where Surface Books can’t really be challenged no matter how superior the competitor is. The display alone (while separated from the base) was able to stay alive for nearly 2 hours. And while using it as a traditional laptop it lasted well over the 10-hour mark. And if used for lighter tasks it can even last as long as 13 to 13 and a half hours. Impressive, isn’t it?
Downsides:
- Price – It can’t be denied that it’s one of the most elite and premium hybrids available in the market. And premium products don’t come cheap; it isn’t either. Priced at €1600 (£1400) even the most hardcore lover of fancy laptops would have a hard time affording it.
- GPU – One of the most unique and striking features of the Surface Book was its dedicated GPU. But surprisingly enough, this specific version is merely equipped with the Intel’s built-in HD Graphics 620 GPU. And that means that it can’t really be used for gaming or serious graphical tasks.
- No Thunderbolt 3 – No matter how Microsoft tries to present it the so-called Surface Connect is NOT equivalent to a Thunderbolt port. And that’s really a bummer that such an expensive notebook doesn’t come with even a single TB3 port.
Verdict:
I don’t really recommend this variance, to be honest. If you can spend a few dimes more you should always go for the model with the dedicated GTX 1050 GPU. But if you really want a Surface Book and can’t really afford the former one you’re welcome to get this one. But you won’t be able to use it for anything hardcore that’s for sure.